2024’sThe Game Awardsnominees have already been announced, withsome of the runner-ups having the potential to smash years-long traditions. So far,Astro BotandFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthare leading the categories with seven nominations each, but they have fierce competition from other nominees. While there are plenty of traditional AAA games on display this year, what has most fans buzzing is the inclusion of a DLC and popular indie game making its way onto the coveted GOTY nomination slots.
The largest controversy with this year’s nominees is the inclusion of Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, being the firstDLC expansion eligiblefor the official GOTY award rather than just subcategories. With games likeWitcher 3: Blood and WineorCyberpunk: Phantom Libertynot being eligible despite being similarly large-scale critically acclaimed experiences, it’s a confusing move on behalf of The Game Awards. Unfortunately for fans,this news has somewhat overshadowed the nomination of an explosively popular indie game released all the way back in February.
Balatro Could Win GOTY At The Game Awards
An Addictive Rogue-Like With Hundreds Of Hours Of Replayability
With its incredibly fun gameplay loop featuring unique mechanics and presentation,Balatro’s announcement as a nomination for the GOTY award is a surprising but well-deserved development. Developed by a single person over a few years,Balatrois a huge win for indie developers as a whole, showing what it’s possible to achieve in the gaming industry nowadays even without the massive resources or funding of other development teams. While the nomination of smaller games always generates some pushback,Balatro’s honor has also brought new players into the fold who might never have played it otherwise.
The roguelike genre isn’t always for everyone, butBalatro’s deckbuilding gameplayis mixed with recognizable cards at first before quickly snowballing into new mechanics and exhilarating combos to achieve as many points as possible. Having already picked up several awards this year, including the Best Indie Game at the Golden Joystick Awards, there’s a good chance that the belovedBalatrocould win at least a few of its five category nominations.
Balatrohas some tough competition against heavyweight titles likeElden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeandBlack Myth: Wukong. Despite these long odds, the game has a legitimate shot at becoming the first-ever solo developer project to win Game Of The Year at the Game Awards.
Only One Other Indie Game Has Won GOTY
The First Indie Game To Break The Ceiling
It Takes Twowinning Game Of The Yearhad its share of controversy back in 2021, but it was an undeniably memorable experience for co-op gaming fans. DespiteIt Takes Twobeing developed by the relatively new indie game studio Hazelight Studios, it still had the backing of the monolithic Electronic Arts as a publisher, making its qualification as an indie game questionable. While that doesn’t take away fromIt Takers Two’s achievement,Balatro’s publisher Playstack is much smaller in comparison, only having a bit over a dozen indie titles under its belt.
The Game Awards Confirms That Expansions, DLCs & Remakes Are Eligible For Awards, Including Game Of The Year
Expansions, DLCs, remakes, seasonal content, and remasters; an important part of the video game landscape; are eligible in all award categories.
With the inclusion of asmall-scale indie gameand a first-ever DLC expansion both breaking traditions atThe Game Awards, fans can expect more interesting entries in future years as they broaden their nomination horizons. Regardless ifBalatrowins this year’s GOTY award or not, its inclusion alone is a huge victory for the indie gaming community, withBalatrogaining even more deserved attention from new fans trying it out after the nomination.
